Schedel en een hoofd van een jongeling met helm c. 1663 - 1666

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli created this print, now at the Rijksmuseum, using etching techniques. Observe how Mitelli arranged the skull and the helmeted youth's head. They appear to be in dialogue. Both subjects share the same light source, yet the skull's starkness contrasts with the soft, shaded contours of the youth. This composition invites us to consider vanitas, the transience of life, and the contrast between mortality and youthful strength. Mitelli uses line and form to present us with more than just an image. The skull, rendered with meticulous detail, faces the youthful figure, creating a visual structure that speaks to the inevitable passage of time. Note the way the helmet shields the youth's eyes. It’s a division between appearance and reality, hinting at the masks we wear and the truths they conceal. The etching uses stark contrasts to emphasize the thematic content. It isn't merely a depiction but an exploration of human existence.